Pintlala Elementary School in Hope Hull is incorporating education and awareness about litter into their regular classroom program. Sharon Maddox invited Mary Stanford, PALS Clean Campus State Coordinator, to speak to the students about initiating projects in litter education.

Several issues were discussed, from visual aesthetics to more serious pollution and health problems. Educating students, faculty and administrators is of the utmost importance when implementing the Alabama PALS Clean Campus Program.

Students went on a visual tour of litter, from the time it is dropped on the ground to the final stage of it entering our waterways and endangering our marine environment. After learning the path litter takes, students learned how they could prevent littering.

All students were encouraged to enter the Alabama PALS Poster Contest. This year, the title is "Kids Against Litter" and posters are due May 20. The first place winner receives $250 and attends the Governor’s Awards Luncheon.

Pintlala Elementary students promised to stop littering and then took a pledge. They are now official members of Alabama PALS Clean Campus Program. After the program ended, students were given a green "Don’t Drop It On Alabama" wrist bracelet and the teachers were given a PALS tote bag with a curriculum guide and follow-up activities.

Alabama Clean Campus Program is available to all schools, public and private, at no cost. If you would like Mary Stanford to come and speak to your students, please contact her at (334) 224-7594 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .